Kids spa finds new home on East Franklin Boulevard

One of Gastonia’s original kid friendly spas has relocated to East Franklin Boulevard.

Owned by Maranda Phillips and Lakeisha Adams, Lil Dream Girls Spa and Pampered Kid Parties moved to 1626 East Franklin Boulevard in February from its old home on Union Road.

“We’ve definitely seen increased traffic versus our old location,” Adams said. “People used to pass us over a lot on Union Road because it was kind of a residential setting. If you went too fast you passed us immediately, but this new spot on Franklin has been great.”

Adams and Phillips are cashing in on the growing number of spas and salons adding kids to their list of clients. Girls younger than 10 make up the majority of the business’s customers, Adams said, with pedicures, manicures and facials emerging as the business’s top sellers.

Lynne McNees, president of the International Spa Association said part of the industry’s growth has stemmed from that fact that spas are teaching kids and teens good skin habits that will sustain them the rest of their life.

“Just like a dentist educates kids about brushing their teeth, these skin care lessons are habits that should be developed early on in life,” McNees said. “Not only does this make a difference in skin health throughout the teenage years ... but these good habits carry over and help sustain beautiful skin into their 20s, 30s, and 40s.”

The number of spas that offer special packages for children under the age of 13 more than doubled between 2012 and 2013, according to spa association statistics.

Since Adams and Phillips had each worked in child care settings, and because no business offered kid spa services locally, the pair were encouraged to start their own venture.

“I’d thought about it for several years, but I never stepped out and did anything about it,” Adams said. “We decided it was time.”

Lil Dream Girls is slightly different from an actual spa, Adams said.

“It’s more entertainment for girls,” Adams said. “We don’t offer exactly the same services as a traditional spa. We’ll paint nails, but we don’t use harsh acrylics and we don’t even clip their nails.”

The most important things, Adams said, is boosting a girl’s self-image and making her feel good.

“We have a lot of fun with it,” Adams said. “And the kids do, too, and I guess that’s the most important thing.”